Ruger 10/22 Review: The Rimfire That Won’t Die

Estimated reading time: 18 minutes

The Ruger 10/22 has spent 62 years turning new shooters into lifelong rimfire addicts. We tested a factory Carbine and a custom build to see why this simple .22 LR still refuses to surrender its crown.

The Rimfire That Started a Lifelong Addiction

We all remember our first time. Mine was on the edge of a hay field facing a dirt bank. Empty soda cans were lined up about 10 paces away. I had passed my multiplication tables and long division tests, and my reward was shooting my cousin’s Ruger 10/22.

My first shot was slow and deliberate. The bullet flicked the first can over, and then I let it rip. The soda cans danced until I emptied the magazine and no can remained standing. I don’t remember the exact round count that day, but I remember the Ruger 10/22 and how I schemed on ways to have my own Ruger 10/22 Carbine with the smooth birch stock and barrel band.

If you do any amount of shooting, especially with .22 rimfire rifles, it is hard not to come across a Ruger 10/22. With over 10 million Ruger 10/22 rifles built, the 10/22 is the benchmark against which other semiautomatic rimfire rifles are judged. So many have been produced because the design is incredibly reliable, requires minimal maintenance, offers nearly endless customizability, and remains affordable.

Over the years, the 10/22 has become a chameleon, with a dizzying spectrum of models spawned from the original Carbine that looked a lot like an M1 Carbine. Having the Ruger 10/22 on your bucket list should not be limited to one rifle. It should include multiple variants such as a Takedown, Sporter, Target, International, Tactical, Carbon Fiber, or SBR. The list goes on.

Part of the Ruger 10/22’s appeal is that it changes with the times. It is eminently adaptable, and Ruger seems to innovate the rifle on a regular basis so it stays fresh for the next generation of plinkers, small-game hunters, and competitive shooters.

There is a silly number of aftermarket components available to change the 10/22 into whatever you need or desire. Bonus bucket-list points go to those of us who have modified a 10/22, and double bonus points go to anyone who has built one from the receiver up.

Why the Ruger 10/22 Still Rules Rimfire

Back in 1964, there were plenty of veterans from WWII and Korea who had experience with the M1 Carbine. Ruger had launched the .44 Magnum Carbine in 1960 as a lightweight semiautomatic for deer hunters. It looked and handled like an M1 Carbine, endearing it to those veterans.

The 10/22 looked a lot like the .44 Magnum Carbine, yet it used a totally different action and was chambered in .22 LR. The .44 Magnum Carbine has long been discontinued, but the 10/22 has kept its momentum going for some 62 years and shows no signs of stopping.

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Simple Blowback Action, Brilliant Rotary Magazine

The Ruger 10/22 uses a simple blowback action. Gas from a fired .22 LR round pushes the bolt rearward, cocks the hammer, and allows the next round to be chambered as fast as you can press the trigger. Nearly all .22 LR semiautomatic rifles use a similar blowback action.

The difference in the Ruger design is the 10-round rotary magazine. The magazine is easy to load, sits flush with the bottom of the stock, and is perhaps the best .22 LR magazine ever designed. The magazine release is also smooth and easy to manipulate.

The BX-15 and BX-25 magazines introduced in 2014 increase capacity while offering the same reliability as the BX-10 10-round magazines. That same year, Ruger introduced the BX-Trigger, which drops into any Ruger 10/22 and dramatically changes the go-button experience.

The 10/22 originally had an okay trigger that could easily be described as gritty, creepy, and heavy. In other words, it had nearly everything you do not want in a trigger. That never stopped us from pressing it and burning through bricks of ammo. The BX-Trigger has a decent 2.75-pound pull and feels like a complete revelation compared with the old trigger.

Built to Run With Minimal Maintenance

An aluminum receiver houses the remarkably reliable action, and the rifle is easy to disassemble. On the flip side, I know guys who have never disassembled or cleaned their 10/22s, and the rifles still run.

I am not recommending that you neglect your 10/22. The point is that it requires minimal maintenance. Newer models incorporate a rear cleaning port that allows access to the chamber and barrel from the rear of the receiver, making the rifle much easier to clean.

Another innovative feature is the V-block system that attaches the barrel to the receiver. This allows a 10/22 owner to swap barrels easily. No gunsmithing certificate is necessary, just common sense and some mechanical aptitude. The barrels are cold hammer forged and known for good accuracy.

The 10/22 is also a safe rifle, employing a cross-bolt safety. The bolt is easy to lock back so everyone can see that the action is open and the rifle is safe.

There was a 10/22 Magnum chambered in .22 WMR built from 1999 to 2006, and it was identical in appearance to the 10/22 in .22 LR. A 10/17 chambered in .17 HMR was announced in 2004, but those rifles were never produced.

Other .22 LR semiautomatic rifles existed long before the 10/22 arrived in 1964. Winchester, Remington, Savage, Marlin, and a slew of other manufacturers produced semiautomatics for department stores. Those rifles used blowback actions and fed from stamped-steel single-stack magazines or tubular magazines.

Most of those rifles have gone the way of rotary-dial phones and VHS video players. Just when the Ruger 10/22 seems ready to fall behind the times, it reinvents itself again.

Ruger 10/22 Variants: From Classic to Competition

Ruger currently divides the 10/22 family into Standard, Scoped, Competition, Carbon Fiber, Takedown, and SBR categories. Here is a look at what separates them.

Standard: The Modern Entry Point

The Standard is the baseline 10/22, with current examples equipped with BX-Triggers and a match bolt release. Many feature a modern-looking, lightweight polymer stock with M-LOK slots at the 6 o’clock position, textured panels on the pistol grip and forend, and integral sling-swivel mounts.

You can still get one with a wood stock if you are feeling nostalgic. Common barrel lengths are 16.1, 16.4, and 18 inches with a sporter taper, though a 16-inch bull barrel is also available.

Takedown: Built for Packs, Camps, and Go-Bags

Takedown models separate the barrel from the action quickly for easier transportation and storage. These rifles are great options for campers and hikers. I have one in my go-bag.

Scoped: Zero Fuss and Ready for the Range

The folding rear sight and brass-bead front sight are the iron sights many of us learned to shoot with. They have not changed since 1964, but most shooters now prefer a scope. The 10/22 Scoped is a Standard model that comes with a factory-mounted scope, which means the rifle is ready to go out of the box.

Carbon Fiber: Less Weight, More Speed

Carbon Fiber models use a lightweight carbon-fiber barrel to create a lighter rifle. Some use a chassis stock and a left-side charging handle for shooters who want to get competitive.

Competition: The Ruger Precision Shop Hot Rod

If you have a need for speed and want to race your 10/22 against other competitors, the Competition series is built to do exactly that. These rifles come out of the Ruger Precision Shop and feature a free-floated, fluted barrel with a muzzle brake, an adjustable cheekpiece, and a whole collection of features fine-tuned for performance.

SBR: The 10/22 Goes Ultracompact

The latest 10/22 metamorphosis is the SBR. With no tax stamp fees on SBRs, Ruger decided to introduce a compact 10/22 with either an 8- or 15-inch barrel. The 15-inch model is also a Takedown model. It looks like I need to upgrade my bug-out bag.

Three Discontinued Ruger 10/22 Models I Regret Selling

There is a long list of discontinued Ruger 10/22 models, so I thought I would list the three I miss most. By “miss,” I mean I wish I had never sold mine.

The 10/22 action was also used in pistols. In 2008, Ruger introduced the Charger, a pistol using the 10/22 action with a 10-inch barrel. The Charger was discontinued in 2013.

Ruger 10/22 International: American Rimfire With Teutonic Style

The Ruger 10/22 International sported a full-length Mannlicher-style stock with an 18-inch barrel. It has a Teutonic vibe, but it speaks fluent American English.

Ruger 10/22 Target: The Lightweight Speed Demon

This Ruger 10/22 Target model had a laminated thumbhole stock and was super comfortable to shoot. It also had an aluminum-sleeved bull barrel to cut weight, a muzzle brake, and a BX-Trigger. With that combination, this variant of the 10/22 was a speed demon.

Ruger 10/22 Target: Heavy-Barrel Woodchuck Hammer

This Ruger 10/22 Target model was built with a heavy, 20-inch bull barrel with a spiral pattern on the outside and no sights. The stock was a beautiful red-brown laminate. I cannot tell you how many woodchucks, squirrels, and crows fell to that 10/22.

Ruger 10/22 Clones and the Endless DIY Rabbit Hole

Ruger’s patent on the 10/22 expired decades ago. When it expired, other companies jumped in to produce 10/22 clones. Here is a short list of current, popular copycat manufacturers.

Magnum Research: Switchable Controls and Magnum Power

Magnum Research, which is owned by Kahr, manufactures the Switchbolt with a swappable charging handle that can be positioned on either side of the receiver. The Magnum Lite features a thumbhole stock and is designed for competition shooting. If you want a 10/22-style rifle chambered in .22 WMR, the Magnum Lite also comes in .22 Mag.

Bergara BXR: A Premium 10/22 Clone

The Bergara BXR is a premium 10/22 clone built for accuracy and offered with either a full-steel or carbon-fiber barrel.

Bear Creek Arsenal BC 200: Budget Rimfire Accuracy

The BC 200 series is a line of inexpensive 10/22 clones that are very accurate and cost about $100 less than Ruger’s base Standard model. Models are chambered in .17 Mach II, .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR.

Volquartsen: The Premium Rimfire Race Gun

Volquartsen produces high-end 10/22-style rifles in a variety of calibers, including .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR. They are especially well suited for competition.

Building a Custom Ruger 10/22: Greatness Is Not Cheap

Run a search for Ruger 10/22 aftermarket parts. You could not possibly go through all the results because there are so many, so I will break the choices down into triggers, stocks, and barrels.

Do not assume you will save money by completing a DIY 10/22 build. Aftermarket parts are usually higher quality than factory components, and they come at premium prices.

Ruger 10/22 Trigger Upgrades: The Fastest Path to a Better Rifle

While the performance of the BX-Trigger easily outshines the old 10/22 trigger, aftermarket Ruger 10/22 triggers can leave you speechless. Single-stage and two-stage models are available for nearly anything you want your rifle to do better.

These are drop-in triggers, which translates to easy installation. I have used Timney Competition Replacement triggers in custom builds, and they offer a crisp, 3-pound pull.

KIDD is perhaps the leader in two-stage competition triggers, which are fully adjustable from 6 ounces to 2.5 pounds. An aftermarket trigger will easily run $300 to $400, depending on the brand and features.

Ruger 10/22 Barrels: From Affordable to Race Ready

Volquartsen, KIDD, Summit Precision, Shaw, and Tactical Solutions are some of the top aftermarket barrel brands. Expect to spend $150 to $450 depending on your budget and what you want your 10/22 to do. Faxon makes affordable barrels.

Ruger 10/22 Stocks: Wood, Rubber, or Lightweight Polymer

I have used Boyds and Hogue stocks. Boyds is known for beautiful wood laminates, while Hogue’s Overmolded stock is hard to beat for a 10/22 designed to hunt hard. Want lightweight and low cost? Try the MOE X-22 stock by Magpul.

Ruger 10/22 Range Test: Factory Rifle vs. Custom Build

I mounted a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm rimfire scope on the factory-built Ruger 10/22. This optic has a simple, uncomplicated V-Plex reticle that is a good option for plinking and hunting.

On the DIY 10/22 build, I mounted a Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm with a rimfire reticle calibrated for .22 LR ammunition using a 36- to 40-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1,235 to 1,260 fps. It offers BDC-style aiming points for shooting out to 200 yards.

.22 LR Ammunition and Velocity Results

Ammunition tested included CCI AR Tactical loaded with a 40-grain copper-coated round-nose bullet, Federal Champion Training with a 40-grain LRN bullet, a zippy Aguila load with a 30-grain copper-coated flat-nose bullet, and Eley Match with a 40-grain flat-nose lead bullet.

Both the Federal and CCI ammunition ran at a velocity of about 1170 fps. Eley Match loped out at 1075 fps on average. The zippy Aguila load produced a muzzle velocity of about 1500 fps.

Ruger 10/22 Accuracy at 25 and 50 Yards

I got my dope at 25 yards, with five-shot groups averaging one inch. In my experience, the Ruger 10/22 runs well on nearly any type of ammunition. It is a lot like an old push mower because it will run on almost any type of fuel.

Then I doubled the distance to 50 yards. Groups with the 40-grain bullets opened up and averaged 1.25 to 1.5 inches for a 5-shot group. The Aguila load averaged 2 to 2.7 inches for a five-shot group.

Moving to the DIY 10/22 build, I produced some impressive groups at 50 yards that easily averaged under an inch. The better Tactical Solutions barrel and Timney trigger made all the difference in how this DIY 10/22 performed.

Ruger 10/22 Specifications and Test Data

Model Tested	Ruger 10/22 Carbine and DIY 10/22 build
Caliber	.22 LR
Action	Semiautomatic blowback
Standard Magazine	10-round rotary magazine
Additional Magazines Discussed	BX-15 and BX-25
Factory Scope	Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm
Custom-Build Scope	Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm
BX-Trigger Pull Weight	2.75 pounds
Timney Trigger Pull Weight	3-pound pull, approximately 3.2 pounds on pictured build
KIDD Adjustment Range	6 ounces to 2.5 pounds
Factory Accuracy at 25 Yards	Five-shot groups averaging one inch
Factory Accuracy at 50 Yards	1.25 to 1.5 inches with 40-grain bullets
Aguila Accuracy at 50 Yards	2 to 2.7 inches for a five-shot group
DIY Build Accuracy at 50 Yards	Easily under an inch, with Eley Match groups averaging about one inch
Federal and CCI Velocity	About 1170 fps
Eley Match Velocity	1075 fps on average
Aguila Velocity	About 1500 fps
MSRP	Varies by model and configuration

Ruger 10/22 Pros and Cons: The Honest Verdict

• Pros: Proven reliability, minimal maintenance, excellent 10-round rotary magazine, easy barrel swaps, huge aftermarket support, broad factory model selection, affordable entry point, and strong accuracy potential.
• Cons: Older factory triggers can feel gritty, creepy, and heavy; premium aftermarket parts become expensive quickly; and building a custom 10/22 is unlikely to save money.

Is the Ruger 10/22 Worth It? Absolutely

A Ruger 10/22 should be in everyone’s gun safe. Many shooters and hunters first learned to shoot a firearm with a Ruger 10/22, and they still shoot those rifles today.

They keep shooting them because the 10/22 is a great training rifle, and it is just plain fun to burn through a bucket of cheap ammunition while busting soda cans and milk jugs.

There is also a massive range of aftermarket parts available to customize the 10/22 around your budget, intended use, and imagination. You can leave it completely stock, add an optic, improve the trigger, or disappear down the custom-build rabbit hole until almost nothing Ruger made remains.

Is the Ruger 10/22 worth the money? It is not merely worth the money. It is a must-have .22 rimfire.

Related Ruger Rimfire Reads From GunsAmerica Digest

• Ruger 10/22 Rifle: The Original 1964 Review
• Ruger 10/22 Takedown Model Review
• Build Your Dream 10/22 With the Brownells BRN-22